Some of you are wondering if you should use JR pass or not for one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka via Hakone and Kyoto. Actually JR pass does not meet this trip. The price of 7-day JR pass is 29100 yen. One way base fare from Tokyo to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka plus Shinkansen surcharge is around 14000 yen. As long as you have one way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka, JR pass is way more expensive than single fare. Even if you use JR pass when you stay in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it is not realistic to spend another 15000 yen. Base fare in these cities is 200 to 500 yen.
In this post, I show you the sample itinerary and some deals in these cities.
*When you follow this sample itinerary, please check the updated timetable. You can find more information about timetable at the link below:
Guide to plan your trip. How to find Japan Railway’s timetables
Day 1 Narita or Haneda airport to downtown Tokyo
Suggested deals for Narita passengers
There are many deals available. Please refer the following link about Narita deals:
Suggested deals for Haneda passengers
Please refer the following links:
Day 2 Tokyo
Enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo.
You can find the detailed information of train system in downtown Tokyo in the link below. You also can find the information about the deals:
In Tokyo, the single fare is very reasonable because of a short trip. The regular fare may be cheaper if you visit one or two places. You may use IC card, such Suica or Pasmo instead:
Day 3 Tokyo to Hakone
Suggested itinerary
08:53 Shinjuku
Odakyu railway’s limited express “Romancecar” Hakone 9
10:35 Hakone-Yumoto
Leave your baggage at hotel or locker at the station. Enjoy sightseeing Hakone all day.
Odakyu Railway is most convenient to get Hakone and cheaper than JR trains. You can purchase base fare ticket and Hakone Free Pass Odawara departure at Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku station.
Suggested deals
Base fare ticket (Shinjuku – Odawara) and Hakone Free Pass (Odawara departure 2 days)
You may find more information about Hakone Free Pass and Odakyu Railway in the link below:
Hakone Free Pass official site
Shinjuku departure Hakone Free Pass (5140 yen) is not required for this itinerary. Because it includes round trip to/from Shijuku. But you do not come back to Shinjuku and leave Hakone then go to Kyoto next day. Of course single fare for Shinjuku-Odawara is cheaper than the difference between Shinjuku departure Hakone Free Pass and Odawara departure Hakone Free Pass.
Once you get Hakone, use Hakone Free Pass as much as you can. You can get most of places in Hakone by this pass.
I recommend you to stay in Hakone for at least one night. But if you want to visit Hakone as “luggage free” day trip from Tokyo, Hakone Free Pass Shinjuku departure is the best deal.
I have the post which explains about the access to Hakone and the trip plan in Hakone in the link below:
Day 4 Hakone to Kyoto
Suggested itinerary
09:40 Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone Tozan Railway
09:54 Odawara
10:08 Odawara
Hikari 507
12:13 Kyoto
Odawara station is the nearest JR station to Hakone. You can catch the the Tokaido Shinkansen to get Kyoto. Please find the details about Odawara station at the following:
There are some Shinkansen train, “Hikari” stop at Odawara and takes you to Kyoto without any transfer. I picked 10:08 departure, Hikari 507. Please see the timetable at the link below and find the train what you want to take:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
You may find Hikari which stop at Odawara mostly every two hours. Please try to catch this kind of Hikari. This is the fastest and direct way to get Kyoto from Odawara.
There is no deals to cover the trip from Odawara to Kyoto. The base fare ticket and the Shinkansen seat fee ticket are required to take the Tokaido Shinkansen. You can purchase these tickets in advance if you want. The Shinkansen and limited express surcharge tickets can be purchased at most major JR stations that have reservation window, a.k.a. “Midori no Madoguchi”. The base fare ticket also can be purchased with surcharge ticket at same time. If you do so, you can just transfer from Hakone Tozan Railway train to the Shinkansen at Odawara.
If you follow my suggested itinerary, you have half day for sightseeing in Kyoto. I recommend you to visit south part of Kyoto, like Fushimi Inari. It’s just 5 minutes away from Kyoto station by Nara line local train. If you want, you can visit even Nara.
If you need some more information about Kyoto station, please refer the link below:
Day 5 Kyoto
You can enjoy in Kyoto for all day.
Please refer the links below to find the information of train system in Kyoto and deals in Kyoto.
Day 6 Kyoto to Osaka
Suggested itinerary
09:14 Kyoto
Special rapid
09:43 Osaka
I use JR train, Special Rapid which is the fastest way to get Osaka (Umeda). It is a sort of commute train. Only base fare is required to take this train.
There are many other trains running between Kyoto and Osaka. Please see the link below to find the train network in Kansai area:
After arriving in Osaka, you may add the deal as you need.
Day 7 Osaka to Kansai airport
There are some deals available. Please see the link below:
Summary and total costs
If you have one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka, as you read above, the key is how to combine some local deals and the regular fare ticket. In this itinerary, approximate total cost is 23,000 to 26,000 yen. It is cheaper than JR Pass 7-day. And JR Pass does not cover Hakone area, subway and city bus in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. You might feel the total cost is very close to JR Pass 7-day. But actual different is much bigger.
I show you 7 days itinerary but you can extend staying in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto or Osaka. And also I have another sample itinerary that includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka only. Please see the following post to find it.
I hope this post will help you to build your trip plan to Japan!
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I would arrived in Tokyo, but would like to stay at Tokyo around 3 days and then head to Kyoto for another 3 days and Osaka for 2 days.And back to Tokyo for my flight home. Which transport should I take and what are the passes that I should purchase? Thanks in advance.
Hi Candice,
JR pass 7 days is your choice. You can use 7 days pass for the last 7 days of your trip.
You need to add another deal or single fare for the first one or two days. There are deals to cover airport access and subway ride. Please see the link below:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. I’m planning to go on a 10-day trip to Tokyo-Lake Kawaguchi-Kyoto-Nara-Osaka in June. How to get to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo? And how to get back from Lake Kawaguchi to Kyoto? Is it possible to add Tateyama to the trip? Thank you
Hi Fenny,
Please see the link below. You will find all info about access to Lake Kawaguchi which you need.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
You may add Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. In this case, you should go back to Tokyo after Lake Kawaguchi and take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano. You can go through alpine route from Nagano to Toyama. And then proceed to Kyoto via Kanazawa.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7551.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’m going to spend a night in either Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone. Hakone has got easier access but more pricy accommodation. While I think I’ll get better pictures of Fuji-san from Lake Kawaguchi. Which do you think is a better option?
It seems that adding Tateyama to the trip is going to be far more expensive. Does it really worth all the transportation costs?
Hi Fenny,
Which one is more important for you, view of Fuji or onsen experience. If you want a good view of Fuji, go for Lake Kawaguchi. In total, Hakone is more attractive as tourist spot.
Tateyama Kurobe is very nice. That is why this is one of most popular spots in Japan. But the choice is yours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Sorry i am a bit confused here. If i will be taking nex train from narita to shibuya and touring around tokyo for 4 days which include odaiba, kawasaki and yokohama …is JR east pass correct? Can i travel around yokohama using JR east pass or i need to buy a separate pass? Sorry i tried reading but still cant understand how it works
I will take romance car to hakone and hakone free pass. From hakone yumoto will go to osaka what pass do i need to buy for taking the bullet train and travelling around osaka for 3 days including day trip to nara and rinkun?
I will be taking limousine bus to itami airpirt.
Appreciate your advice.
Hi Cheng,
JR East Pass is too expensive. You can find combo deal of limousine bus and subway pass. It is enough to cover Tokyo.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html#anc02
For the trip to Yokohama, you can use Tokyu railway deal.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
Only single fare ticket is your choice to take Shinkansen from Odawara to Osaka. There is no deals available.
You can find the deal in Osaka at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Kanasi thru pass is the best choice for trip to Nara and Rinku.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi
Cheng
No worries, Cheng.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
As i need to transfer various railway like JR, Shinkansen etc while travelling from gotemba to universal city must i go out to each transfer station to get the tickets as i may be holding a single fare or different passes?
Thanks again!
Hi Cheng,
It depends on the route. You may get Universal city from Gotemba by JR and Shinkansen only. If you take this route, you can use one base fare ticket and you don’t need to buy a ticket one by one.
But most recommended route is bus to Mishima from Gotemba and take Shinkansen there. This is the easiest and the fastest route.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/route/detail/id/2
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
If you take this route, you need to buy a bus ticket from Gotemba to Mishima, and base fare ticket to Universal city and Shinkansen ticket from Mishima to Shin-Osaka. Shinkansen ticket can be purchased in advance at major JR station. You can buy it at Gotemba station too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much Takeshi!
No worries, Cheng.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
We will be staying in Osaka for 4 days but on the 4th day we will be travel to Tokyo and stay there for 3 days.
If we want to go to Kyoto just for a day tour and go back to Osaka in the evening, would buying the 7-day pass be worth it?
We would also like to go to Hiroshima the next day and go back to Osaka again in the evening. Then go to Tokyo and maybe if we have time, Mt. Fuji. Would you suggest we buy the 7 day pass? I tried looking at their website to see where these trains would pass but I got so confused as I am not familiar with the places.
I hope you can help me. Thank you!
Hi Kat,
If you are sure to visit Hiroshima, JR pass is your choice. If not, single ticket is cheaper.
You can use JR pass to visit Mt. Fuji partially. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again Takeshi!
Thank you for your previous reply. So I just want to make sure since it would be a waste of money if it only takes us to few places. So from your reply this is what I understand:
Osaka – Kyoto and Kyoto – Osaka
Osaka – Hiroshima and Hiroshima – Osaka
Osaka – parts of Mt. Fuji and back to Osaka
Osaka – Tokyo
We can use the JR pass for these places right?
I read in their website that we can also use the JR pass for buses?
And lastly, what’s the difference between green car and blue car aside from the prices? Thank you! ^^
Hi Kat,
The trips that you have mentioned are covered by JR pass. In your plan, Hiroshima sightseeing bus “Meipuru-pu” is covered. If you visit Miyajima, ferry to Miyajima is also covered.
Please see the link below the difference between Green and Ordinary. (Ordinary class is not called, “Blue”.)
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/worthwhile-buying-green-pass.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Good afternoon.
This is my first free and easy visit to Japan. I am very much excited and looking forward to the trip.
My holiday plans as follow and would like to seek your advise which pass suits my itinerary :
1. 24/03 to 27/03 (4 nights) : Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
2. 28/03 to 30/03 (3 nights) : Kyoto @ Natural Hot Spring Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto
3. 31/03 to 1/04 (1 night) : Hotel Graniva Osaka
4. 1/04 to 2/04 (2 nights) : Posada Suimei
5. 3/04 to 5/04 (2 nights) : Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
6. 5/04 : departure for home
Total : 12 nights
a. 7-day JR pass
b. Hakone Free pass
Thank you.
Tristan T
Hi Tristan san,
You may use both JR pass and Hakone Free Pass.
You can start to use JR pass 7 days when you are in Tokyo on 26 March. It covers until you get Odawara. After Odawara, add Hakone Free Pass and single fare ticket for Odakyu railway from Odawara to Shinjuku.
Before/after JR Pass and Hakone Free Pass, you can use subway pass in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Some deals are available between Tokyo and airport.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I am also travelling from Shinjuku to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone… would it be better and advisable to use JR Pass for the above cities?
Arigato
Tristan T
Hi Tristan san,
It’s same as last inquiry. You can use JR pass 7 days when you leave from Shinjuku and it covers until you get Odawara. Just follow my instruction in the previous reply.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I have just started planning our three week trip to japan in April 2017.
We are planning to go:
Tokyo (near Shimokitazawa) – 4 nights
Hakone – 2 nights
Kyoto – 4 nights
Osaka – 3 nights
Kobe – 3 nights
Naoshima/Takamatsu – 2 nights
Hiroshima – 2 nights
Tokyo – 2 nights
We are trying to decide what sort of rail pass to get. I understand that Hakone isn’t included in the JR rail pass, so it may be better to buy the rail pass for use from Kyoto to Hiroshima and back to Tokyo. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Emily
Hi Emily,
As my understanding, you will spend 14 nights 15 days from leaving Hakone to coming back to Tokyo. Is it right?
If you can shrink 13 nights 14 days for this part of your trip, you can use 14 days JR pass. This is most cost effective and the easiest way.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
If you cannot, you need to combine several deals and single tickets.
I don’t know which airport you will arrive and depart. But you can find some info in the link below. You need some deals either using 14 days pass or not. This is not in 14 days coverage of JR pass anyway.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/haneda/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
And you need some deals for staying in Tokyo too.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
It’s same as Hakone. Add single fare to get Hakone and use Hakone Free Pass from Odawara. You can use same way as sample itinerary above.
Add single ticket for Odawara to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Osaka to Kobe.
Add city deals in Kyoto, Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
And then you will use JR pass 7 days for the last 7 days.
Even if you shrink it and use 14 days pass, you may need to add some deals in Osaka and Kyoto. Especially in Kyoto, you may rely on bus and subway and these are not covered by JR pass. But as you see, 14 days JR pass makes your trip be easier. I think you can take 1 night from Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe if you want to shrink it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you so much for all these info! We are planning our entire trip based on your suggestions. However, we are not going to Osaka. We are going back to Tokyo from Kyoto. This means we don’t have to buy the Odawara to Kansai base fare ticket correct? what do you suggest is the cheapest way from Kyoto to Tokyo? Looking forward to your response. Thank you so much!
Kim
Hi Kim,
JR pass 7 days is the best choice for you.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
JR pass is the best way for round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
If I buy the base fare from odawara to Kansai and stopover at Kyoto and Nara on the way to Osaka. Is Nara backtracking?
Thanks!
Hi Caroline,
You can do it. You can take Kyoto-Nara-Tennoji-Kansai airport route. Please see the map in the link below to find the route:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html#JR_trains
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
My itinerary will be;
Tokyo
Matsumoto
Nagiso
Nagoya
Tokyo
Kyoto
Jan.6-11, one day per station except Tokyo.
How can i use the 7-day JR Pass on these itinerary?
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark,
You can find the route Tokyo-Matsumoto-Nagiso-Nagoya-Tokyo at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
Nagiso is located between Matsumoto and Nagoya as you probably know.
I’m wondering why you go to Tokyo after Nagoya. Kyoto is closer to Nagoya than Tokyo and you can save your trip time.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
This is my first time visiting Japan and we are a family of 3 arriving at Narita Airport on 3 Dec 2016, 0715hr.
Would really appreciate your advice on the type of fare ticket, and estimate fare of tickets.
Our itinerary is as follows
Day 1 & 2 Tokyo staying near Yushima subway.
Day 3 Tokyo to Hakone staying 1 night
Day 4 Odawara station to Kyoto, staying 3 nights near Kyoto station
Planning a day trip to Nara
Day 7 Kyoto to Osaka, staying 1 night near Osaka station
Day 8,Osaka to Kansai International Airport, 10 Dec 2016, Flight at 1100hr.
I am thinking of purchasing Odakyu 2 Days Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station, 5140 yen?
What type of ticket should I buy and fare charges from Odawara station to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka, and Osaka to Kansai Airport?
Would it be very rush to travel from Osaka station to Kansai airport since my flight timing is departing at 1100hr?
Thank you in advance for your kind advice and suggestion.
Redzuan Tan
Hi Redzuan,
The easiest way to get Yushima is Keisei railway (Narita to Ueno) and Suwbay (Ueno to Ueno-Okachimachi). Ueno-Okachimachi is very closed to Yushima. I think you can get your accommodation from Ueno-Okachimachi.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/index.php
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/pdf/routemap_en.pdf
If you take limited express train, Skyliner, from Narita, you can use the deal in the link below:
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/value_ticket/subway.php
As I show you in the post above, single fare from Shinjuku to Odawara and Hakone Free Pass from Odawara is cheaper than Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku slightly. But if you want to make it easy, you can use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku. The difference is less than 1000 yen.
You can use single fare ticket from Odawara to Kyoto and Kyoto to Osaka. Please refer the post above. It’s same way.
Trip to Nara, regular ticket is okay as well. It costs around 1300 yen for return.
At last, I recommend you to take limousine bus from Osaka to KIX. Because it’s peak hour as you think. It may be tough to travel by train with luggage. You can avoid it by taking limousine bus.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/UM
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com